In order to characterize MS suicides with respect to risk factors, comparisons were made for male and female suicides and for various groups of MS suicides according to disability status.

Results

The male suicide patients were characterized by a tendency to commit suicide in the age interval 40-49 years, by the use of a violent suicide method, by previous suicidal behaviour, by a previous mental disorder, by recent deterioration of MS, and by a moderate disability.

For women the characteristics were less distinct.

Patients with a severe course of MS had been subjected to more risk factors before the suicide than patients with a moderate course of...